Real Estate as a career after high school 🏡

jamielcash
jamielcash Licensing Career Launcher Posts: 1,237
in High School & Beyond

It's never too early to start thinking about your career, and for motivated high school students, a career in real estate can be an excellent option. Unlike many other professions that require a four-year degree, becoming a real estate agent is a fast track to a professional career with a high earning potential. With the right preparation and drive, you can be licensed and working in the industry right after high school graduation.

RE HS.png

Why Real Estate Is a Great Career for Recent Grads 

A career in real estate offers a lot of advantages, especially if you are young and ambitious. You will have the flexibility to set your own schedule and the opportunity for unlimited earning potential based on your effort. It is a career where no two days are the same, and you get to help people with one of the most significant decisions of their lives: Buying or Selling a home!

What You Can Do Now (Before You Graduate)

Even while you are still in high school, you can take steps to prepare for a successful real estate career.

  • If you are 18 (in most states): Begin taking your prelicensing coursework. Many states will allow you to get your license when you are 18, some make you wait until 19. Check with your state real estate commission to know for sure.
  • Develop Key Skills: Focus on classes that build strong communication, sales, and marketing skills. Courses like public speaking, business, or even debate can be incredibly helpful.
  • Start Networking: Connect with local real estate agents. Ask to do an informational interview or even see if you can shadow them for a day to get a feel for the job. Networking is a huge part of being a successful agent, so it's a great skill to start building now. They could even become your mentor.
  • Learn the Basics: Read books, follow real estate news websites, and listen to podcasts to familiarize yourself with industry terminology and market trends.

The Path to Getting Your License

Once you turn 18 (the minimum age requirement in most states), you can begin the licensing process. Here are the steps in a nutshell (each state is different):

  1. Complete Pre-Licensing Education: You'll need to complete a state-mandated number of hours of pre-licensing coursework. This covers topics like real estate law, contracts, and finance. Check out your state licensing course offerings here.
  2. Prep and Pass the State Exam: After completing your coursework, you will take a state licensing exam. It typically has a National portion on real estate principles and a State-Specific portion. You will want to do your best on this exam, so prepare for it with Kaplan’s Exam Prep course. It is best to buy a course package that includes exam prep. 
  3. Find a Sponsoring Brokerage: You can't work independently right away. You will need to find a brokerage to "hang your license" with. This brokerage will provide mentorship, training, and support as you start your career. (Not all states require this step before submitting your application; some require it after.)
  4. Submit Your Application: After passing your exam and finding a broker, you can submit your license application to your state's real estate commission.
  5. Prepare For Your Career: Take Kaplan’s Real Estate Accelerator course to create your business plan, marketing strategy, and learn how to run the day-to-day operations of your new business.


The journey from high school to a thriving real estate career can be fast and rewarding. If you are motivated and self-driven, it could be the perfect path for you! Have you (or if you're a parent/guardian, your student) ever considered real estate as your next move after high school? Let us know in the comments below!

Tagged:

Categories